The Pittsburgh Penguins have officially placed center Evgeni Malkin on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury, marking his fourth consecutive game missed. The decision to move Malkin to IR is procedural, allowing the team to activate forward Philip Tomasino from his own IR stint. Coach Mike Sullivan indicated that Malkin is considered day to day, raising hopes for a swift return.

Malkin's absence is notable, given his impressive track record, including a streak of 209 consecutive games played prior to this injury, ranking him 12th in team history. The Penguins have recorded one win, one loss, and one tie without their star player in the lineup.

This season has seen Malkin reach significant milestones, including his 500th career goal and 1,300th NHL point, with a current tally of eight goals and 24 assists across 41 games. Additionally, Sullivan reported that Malkin’s linemate, Michael Bunting, was in a car accident but is reportedly fine and did not participate in the recent game against Tampa Bay.